Support for mailboxes or the like



April 24, 1951 J. B. DUNAGAN 2,550,338

SUPPORT FOR MAILBOXES OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 16, 1947 v BY ad ///LM A rTok/VE r Patented pr. 24,' 1951 VUN I TED S TATES PATE-N T `(JFFICE2,550,338 'SUPPORT Y'FOR MAILBOXE'S 0R THE LIKE Joseph B. Dunagan,l'0lney,'.'1`ex.

Application January 16, 19'4-7., Sera1"`N0."722,425

1, lliislinvention relates to supporting devices for mail boxes, signs,or the like, especially along highways, or other thoroughfares havingrural mail routes, or requiring signs, and the like, and its principalobject resides inthe provision of an adjustable standard having aswinging arm for Ysupporting a Amail box-extending from the side ofVtheroadway for Veasy accessibility from a vehicle, as that of a ruralmail carrier.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a flexible supportfor signs, such as mileage or traiiic signs, which are preferablyarranged in as close proximity to the traffic-way as safety will permit,yet affording an arrangement whereby the supporting standard can be setwell back from the traffic-Way safely outside the specied trahie zoneand incapable of presenting a hazard.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a support of thecharacter described embodying features of construction which willminimize trafc hazards while affording a means whereby a mail box orsign can be located in closer proximity to a traic-way than conventionalrigid supporting standards, the yeldable features of the inventionserving to minimize damage to vehicles accidentally striking the device.Y

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a supportingstructure for mail boxes, signs, and the like, capable of being swung toone 1 claim. (ol. .24S-'145i side during mowing or repair operationsalong rights-of-way while permitting the supported article to beextended to close proximity to the trafIic-way, even though the standardor post is situated well back from the thoroughfare as across a barditch, or the like.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects willbecome manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection withthe appended drawings wherein: y

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the invention showing theswinging, tensioned arm for supporting a sign or mail box, shown indotted lines.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention illustrating, in dotted lines,the variable swinging positions of the supporting arm, and showing theguard for the supported article, and

Figure 3 illustrates the standard and cross-arm in front elevation andthe supporting arm in transverse section, taken on lines 3-3 of Figure2.V

The invention comprises a standard I0 preferably of pipe, or othersuitable material, ca-

pable of being supported in the'ground, asshown in Figures 1landB.-A-swinging arm H is pivotally connected to Va clamp I2 vsecured to vthestandard 'Ill -near its top and made adjustable thereon so that itsheight can be varied as desired. The clamp lf2 has a bracket 'lf3integral therewith providing a device "by which the varm I I canbelpivoted by a bolt I4, or the'like.

Attached to the clamp I2 by bolts I5 is a crossarm I5 which is arrangedtransversely of the arm II and in the same horizontal plane. The arm lis rigid and has a spring I1 connected to each end by eye-bolts I8, orother suitable device. The opposite ends of the springs I1 are connectedby eye-bolts I9 to each side of the swinging arm II, in the mannerillustrated in Figure 2. It is desirable that each of the springs I1comprise paired short lengths joined by a toggle connection a, as shownparticularly in Figure 2, to afford the maximum flexibility when the armII is moved from side to side, in the manner shown in dotted lines inFigure 2.

The invention, as previously stated, is designed for the purpose ofsupporting a mail box 20, or other article, the box being shown indotted lines in Figures 1 and 2. A suitable guard 2| of any desired formis secured to the arm Ii and functions to protect the supported article2i) from damage when struck by a vehicle, or the like, along the roadwayon which the invention is installed. The guard 2I is preferablygenerally circular in form to eliminate relatively sharp corners andother objectionable protrusions.

The arm I I is supported in its horizontal position by a brace member 22rigidly connected at its upper end to the arm II toward the free Vend ofthe latter, its opposite end being pivotally secured to a clamp 23 alsoadjustably arranged on the standard lil. The pivot b is provided topermit the lateral movement of the arm EI p-reviously described. Bothclamps I2 and 23 are adjustable longitudinally of the standard Il] tovary the height of the arm I l to suit the particular conditions towhich the assembly is to be applied.

lt is desirable to provide a guy wire 24, or the like, by which thestandard I0 can be-rigidly supported, and it is desirable to connect thesame near the top of the standard I0 by means of an eye-bolt 25, as inFigures l and 2. Arranged oppositely to the arm II and its burden, thelatter can be more suitably supported and thus provide a moresubstantial assembly.

Obviously any suitable material may be utilized in fabricating theinvention although it isl 3 desirable that the arm l l and its 'bracket22 be of angle or channel iron, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

When it is desirable to fasten the arm I I in a collapsed position, asby turning the same to one side, as depicted in dotted lines in Figure2, a hook 2S attached to the arm ll is employed to secure the same tothe cross-arm I6 by engaging the hook 26 with the aperture r2l in thearm I6, as vshown in Figure 2. This arrangement is desirable When mowingor road maintaining operations are performed to retain the assembly outof the way. A pair of reflectors 28 are arranged on the arm Il as anight warning signal for traflic .along roadways.

Manifestly the structure herein shown and described is capable ofconsiderable changes and :modications by persons skilled in the artwithe out departing from the spirit and intent Aof the .invention or thescopeof the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a mail box support comprising, in combina- Ation with a standardadapted to be supported vertically at a roadside, a cross-arm having aclamp rigidly secured to said standard near the "upper end thereof andextending horizontally from both sides of said standard, an integralbracket on said clamp, a box supporting arm 4 pivotally connected tosaid clamp and extending horizontally from the front of said standardand capableof swinging in a horizontal arc in front of said standard andon a common plane with said cross-arm, a substantially circular guardmember attached to the outer end of said box supporting arm and arrangedin a horizontal plane, a pair of pull springs providing a connectionbetween the outer ends of said cross-arm and said pivoted arm wherebythe latter is normally extended at right angles to said cross-arm, eachof said pairs of springs being hingedly joined longitudinally, and anangular brace member rigidly connected at its upper end to the undersideof said pivoted arm, and having a pivotal attachment at its lower end tosaid standard.

" JOSEPH B. DUNAGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,411,867 Munson 1- Apr. 4, 19221,440,043 Wright Dec. 26, 1922 2,279,622 Hurd Apr. 14, 1942

